Urea derivatives for use in treating bacterial infections

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## and salts and metabolically labile esters thereof. These compounds and compositions containing them have antibacterial activity. Processes for preparing these compounds are also disclosed, as well as methods of treatment of a human or non-human subject to combat bacterial infections.

This application is a 371 of PCT/GP94/03686 dated Nov. 9, 1994.

This invention relates to urea derivatives having antibacterial activity, to processes for their preparation, to compositions containing them and to their use in medicine.

European Patent Application publication No. 0416953A2 describes 10-(1-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid and certain 4 substituted derivatives thereof, which have antibacterial activity.

European Patent Application publication No. 0422596A2 describes compound of the general formula ##STR2## wherein R¹ is inter alia a 1-hydroxyethyl group, CO₂ R² is a carboxy group which may optionally be esterified and ring B is a cyclic group which may be optionally substituted. Ring B may inter alia be a cyclohexane ring. The compounds have antibacterial activity. The specification specifically teaches compounds wherein B is an unsubsituted cyclohexane ring. but there is no teaching of specfic compounds wherein the cyclohexane ring is substituted.

European Patent Application No. 0507313A1 describes inter alia compounds of formula ##STR3## wherein R¹ is inter alia an optionally substituted lower alkyl group, CO₂ R² is a carboxy group which may be esterified, ring A is inter alia a cyclohexane ring and R^(a) is the group W^(a) U^(a) W^(a) is a bond, sulphur (which may be in the form of mono- or dioxide), oxygen, NH (which may be substituted) or a straight-chain or branched lower alkylene or alkenylene group which may be interrupted by sulphur (which may be in the form of mono- or dioxide), oxygen or NH (which may be substituted); U^(a) is carbamoyl, acyl which may be substituted, alkylammonium which may be substituted or a group of the formula ##STR4## is a quaternized nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group which may be substituted and R^(d) is an alkyl group which may be substituted)! which compounds have antibacterial activity. Preferred compounds of this class are said to be 10-(1-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, derivatives wherein the group R^(a) is (CH₂)mK^(a) (CH₂)nU^(a) (wherein K^(a) is CH₂, O, S or NH; m and n each is a whole number of 0 to 3; and U^(a) is an N-linked quaternary ammonium group.

We have now discovered that the introduction of certain urea groupings at the 4 position of 10-(1-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid provides compounds with a particularly useful profile of activity as antibacterial agents.

According to the present invention, therefore we provide compounds of general formula (I) ##STR5## salts and metabolically labile esters thereof; wherein R represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl;

R₁ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl;

R₂ represents hydrogen or an optionally substituted, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclic group.

In addition to the fixed stereochemical arrangement as defined in formula (I) the molecule contains a further asymmetric carbon atom at the 8-position, and another at the 4-position. It will be appreciated that all stereoisomers including mixtures thereof arising from these additional asymmetric centres, are within the scope of the compounds of formula (I). Compounds of formula (I) may also exist in tautomeric forms and such tautomers and derivatives thereof are also within the scope of the invention

Salts of compounds of formula (I) include base addition salts for use in medicine such salts are formed with bases that have a physiologically acceptable cation. Suitable cations include those of alkali metals (e.g. sodium or potassium), alkaline earth metals (e.g. calcium), amino acids (e.g. lysine and arginine) and organic bases (e.g. procaine, phenylbenzylamine, dibenzylethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, and N-methyl glucosamine).

Salts derived from bases wherein the cation is not physiologically acceptable may be useful as intermediates for the preparation and/or isolation of other compounds of the invention, and these salts also form part of the invention.

When the group R₂ contains a basic centre, acid addition salts of such compounds and internal salts formed with the carboxylic acid grouping are also included in the invention.

It will be appreciated that the compounds of formula (I) may be produced in vivo by metabolism of a suitable metabolically labile ester. Examples of suitable metabolically labile esters include acyloxyalkyl esters such as, acyloxymethyl or 1-acyloxyethyl e.g. pivaloyloxymethyl, 1-pivaloyloxyethyl, acetoxymethyl, 1-acetoxyethyl, 1-(1-methoxy-1-methyl)ethylcarbonyloxyethyl, 1-benzoyloxyethyl, isopropoxycarbonyloxymethyl, 1-isopropoxycarbonyloxyethyl, cyclohexylcarbonyloxymethyl, 1-cyclohexylcarbonyloxyethyl ester, cyclohexyloxycarbonyloxymethyl, 1-cyclohexyloxycarbonyloxyethyl, 1-(4-tetrahydropyranyloxy)carbonyloxyethyl or 1-(4-tetrahydropyranyl)carbonyloxyethyl or 3-phthalidyl.

The compound of formula (I) salts thereof and metabolically labile esters thereof may form solvates (e.g. hydrates) and the invention includes all such solvates. When R, R₁ and or R₂ are a C₁₋₆ alkyl group they may be a straight or branched group e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl or hexyl.

When R₂ is alkenyl this is a C₃₋₆ alkenyl group which may be a straight or branched chain group e.g. allyl,

When R₂ is alkynyl this is a straight or branched chain C₃₋₆ alkynyl group e.g. propargyl.

When R₂ is a substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group it is substituted by one or more substituents selected from optionally substituted aryl or aryloxy, azido halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, tri(C₁₋₄ alkyl ammonium, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, NR₃ R₄ (wherein R₃ and R₄ independently represent hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl), NR₃ R₈ (wherein R₈ is acyl), COR₅ (wherein R₅ is hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkoxy or NR₃ R₄), CO₂ R₆ (wherein R₆ is C₁₋₄ alkoxy or NR₃ R₄) or SO₂ R₆.

The term optionally substituted aryl as a group or part of group when used herein refers to a mono or bicyclic aryl group. Suitable monocyclic aryl groups include phenyl or a 5-6 membered heteroaryl group containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen. Examples of such heteroaryl groups include furanyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl pyridinyl, pyridinium, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl or thiadiazolyl. Suitable bicyclo aryl groups contain 9 or 10 ring members selected from carbon, oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen with the proviso that at least 6 are carbon atoms.

Examples of such groups include naphthyl, indenyl, quinolinyl, benzofuranyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, indolyl, benzothiazolyl or phthalimidoyl.

When R₂ is a heteroaryl group it is attached to nitrogen atom of the urea group via a carbon atom member of the heteroaryl group.

When R₂ is or contains a substituted aryl group it is substituted by one or more groups selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl, halogen, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, succinimido or (CH₂)nR₇ wherein n is zero or an integer from 1 to 4 and R₇ is hydroxy, C₁₋₄ alkoxy, NR₃ R₄, NR₃ R₈, COR₅, CO₂ R₆ SO₂ R₆, or S(O)_(m) R₉ wherein m is zero 1 or 2 R₉ is C₁₋₄ alkyl or R₉ is the group NR₃ R₄ when m is 2.

When R₂ is an optionally substituted heterocyclic group this is a carbon linked 5-7 membered saturated heterocyclic group containing a single heteroatom selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen. Examples of such groups include tetrahydropyranyl e.g. 4 tetrahydropyranyl or piperidinyl e.g. 4-piperidinyl and N-substituted derivative thereof e.g. N-alkyl or N-acyl derivatives.

When R₂ is optionally substituted cycloalkyl group it is a C₃₋₇ monocycloalkyl group such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl which may be substituted by one or more groups selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl halogen, hydroxy, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or (CH₂)nR₇.

When R₈ is acyl this may be for example C₁₋₆ alkanoyl, aroyl e.g. benzoyl, or C₁₋₆ alkoxycarbonyl

The term halogen when used herein means fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine unless otherwise specified.

In a further aspect the invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein R represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ methyl, R₁ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ methyl, R₂ represents an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl or phenylalkyl group,

The general formula (I) as drawn includes at least 4 stereoisomers and mixtures thereof and these may be represented by the formulae (1a, 1b, 1c and 1d). ##STR6##

The solid wedge shaped bond indicates that the bond is above the plane of the paper. The broken bond indicates that the bond is below the plane of the paper.

When R₂ is an optionally substituted alkyl group conveniently this is a C₁₋₄ alkyl group e.g. methyl, ethyl or t butyl optional substituted by a group selected from hydroxy, halo, azido, trimethylammonium, COR₅ wherein R₅ is OH, C₁₋₄ alkoxy or NR₃ R₄ (e.g. dimethylamino), NR₃ R₈ (e.g. acetylamino, benzoylamino, or t-butoxycarbonylamino), optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted phenoxy, optionally substituted pyridyl or 1,2 oxazolyl. Examples of such R₂ groups include methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, ethyl (substituted by hydroxy, halo e.g. chlorine, azido, dimethylamino, trimethylammonium, carboxy, ethoxycarbonyl), C₁₋₂ alkyl e.g. methyl or ethyl substituted by phenyl (optionally substituted by 1 or 2 groups selected from halogen e.g. chlorine or fluorine, or SO₂ NR₃ R₄), phenoxy, pyridyl, N-methyl pyridinium or 1,2 oxazolyl,

When R₂ is an optionally substituted monocyclic aryl group this is conveniently a phenyl group optionally substituted by 1 to 3 groups selected from C₁₋₄ alkyl e.g. methyl or isopropyl, halo e.g. bromine, chlorine or fluorine, trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy. e.g. methoxy, COR₅ e.g. CO₂ H or CON(CH₃)₂, NHR₈ (e.g. CH₃ CONH), trimethylammonium, S(O)_(m) CH₃, SO₂ NR₃ R₄ e.g. SO₂ N(CH₃)₂ or succinimido!, pyridyl optionally substituted by halogen e.g. chloride or bromine, trifluoromethyl, phenyl, hydroxy, alkoxy e.g., methoxy, oxo, or alkyl e.g. methyl!, N-methylpyridinium, optionally substituted pyrimidinyl e.g. uracilyl, N-methyl uracilyl, N.N-dimethyl uracilyl or 2-thio uracilyl, optionally substituted furyl e.g. furyl or methyl furyl, optionally substituted thienyl e.g. thienyl or methyl-thienyl, pyrrole e.g. N-methylpyrrole, pyrazolyl or 1,5-dimethyl pyrazolyl or thiadiazolyl.

When R₂ is a heterocyclic group this is conveniently a 4-piperidinyl grouping optionally substituted on the nitrogen atom by or alkyl e.g. propyl, alkanoyl e.g. formyl or acetyl, or allyloxycarbonyl group; or a 4-tetrahydropyranyl group.

Examples of suitable R and R₁ groups include hydrogen or methyl

Examples of suitable R₂ groups include hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, allyl, propargyl, azidoethyl, hydroxyethyl, chloroethyl, dimethylaminoethyl, trimethylammonium-ethyl, 1-carboxyethyl, 2-ethoxycarbonylethyl, phenoxyethyl, benzamidomethyl, t butyxycarbonylaminomethyl, benzyl (optionally substituted by chloro and or fluoro, or by aminosulphonyl), phenylethyl, pyridylmethyl, pyridylethyl, N-methylpyridinium-methyl, 1,2 oxazolylmethyl, furfuryl, pyridyl, N-methylpyridinium, pyridyl (substituted by 1 or 2 chlorine or bromine atoms, trifluoromethyl, phenyl, or methoxy), N-methyl-2-pyridone, furyl, 2-methylfuryl, thienyl, methylthienyl, N-methylpyrrole, thiadiazolyl, methylthiadiazolyl, uracilyl, N-methyluracilyl, N,N-dimethyluracilyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropyl, or 4-tetrahydropyranyl, or N-substituted 4-piperidinyl.

A preferred class of compounds of formula I are those in which the carbon atom at the 8-position is in the β configuration. Within this class those compounds in which the carbon atom at the 4-position is in the α configuration are particularly preferred.

A preferred class of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein R is methyl or hydrogen. A further preferred class of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein R₁ is hydrogen or methyl.

Compounds of formula (I) wherein one of the groups R, R₁ or R₂ has the meanings defined other than hydrogen represent a further preferred aspect of the invention.

Preferred R₂ groups include phenyl (optionally substituted by hydroxy, methoxy, cyano, acetamido or methylsulphonyl), pyridyl, pyridylmethyl, phenoxyethyl, furfuryl or uracilyl.

A preferred group of compounds of formula (I) include those wherein R and R₁ are hydrogen. Within this group those wherein R₂ is phenyl (optionally substituted by hydroxy, methoxy, cyano, acetamido, methylsulphonyl), pyridyl, pyridylmethyl, phenoxyethyl, furanyl or uracilyl are particularly preferred.

Specifically preferred compounds according to the invention include

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(phenylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(3"-pyridineaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-hydroxyphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-methylsuphonylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(uracil-5'-amino)carbonilamino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-aza-tricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2-ene carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(3"-picolylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(2"-furfurylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-methoxyphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (benzylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3"-cyanophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-phenoxyethylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec,-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-acetamidophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-cyanophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid

and physiologically acceptable salt or metabolically labile ester thereof.

A further preferred compound of the invention is

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(aminocarbonyl-N-methylamino)-10-(1'hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2ene-2-carboxylic acid and physiologically acceptable salt or metabolically labile ester thereof

Compounds according to the invention not only exhibit a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms but also have a very high resistance to all β-lactamases. Compounds of the invention are also relatively stable to renal dehydropeptidase.

Thus using a standard microtiter broth serial dilution test compounds of the invention have been found to exhibit useful levels of activity against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisims including strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebisiella, pneumoniae, Proteus microbilus, Clostridium perfringens and Bacteriodes fragilis.

Compounds of the invention have also been found to exhibit a particularly advantageous serum half life in mice.

The compounds of the invention may therefore be used for treating a variety of diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria in human beings and animals.

Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention, we provide a compound of formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof for use in the therapy or prophylaxis of systemic or topical bacterial infections in a human or animal subject.

According to a further aspect of the invention we provide the use of a compound of formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof for the manufacture of a therapeutic agent for the treatment of systemic or topical bacterial infections in a human or animal body.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention we provide a method of treatment of the human or non-human animal body to combat bacterial infections which method comprises administering to the body an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof.

While it is possible that, for use in therapy, a compound of the invention may be administered as the raw chemical it is preferable to present the active ingredient as a pharmaceutical formulation.

The compounds of the invention may be formulated for administration in any convenient way for use in human or veterinary medicine and the invention therefore includes within its scope pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the invention adapted for use in human or veterinary medicine. Such compositions may be presented for use in conventional manner with the aid of one or more suitable carriers or excipients. The compositions of the invention include those in a form especially formulated for parenteral, oral, buccal, rectal, topical, implant, ophthalmic, nasal or genito-urinary use.

The compounds according to the invention may be formulated for use in human or veterinary medicine by injection (e.g. by intravenous bolus injection or infusion or via intramuscular, subcutaneous or intrathecal routes) and may be presented in unit dose form, in ampoules, or other unit-dose containers, or in multi-dose containers, if necessary with an added preservative. The compositions for injection may be in the form of suspensions, solutions, or emulsions, in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilising, solubilising and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively the active ingredient may be in sterile powder form for reconstitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g. sterile, pyrogen-free water, before use.

The compounds of the invention may also be presented for human or veterinary use in a form suitable for oral or buccal administration, for example in the form of solutions, gels, syrups, mouth washes or suspensions, or a dry powder for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use, optionally with flavouring and colouring agents. Solid compositions such as tablets, capsules, lozenges, pastilles, pills, boluses, powder, pastes, granules, bullets or premix preparations may also be used. Solid and liquid compositions for oral use may be prepared according to methods well known in the art. Such compositions may also contain one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and excipients which may be in solid or liquid form.

The compounds of the invention may also be administered orally in veterinary medicine in the form of a liquid drench such as a solution, suspension or dispersion of the active ingredient together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

The compounds of the invention may also, for example, be formulated as suppositories e.g. containing conventional suppository bases for use in human or veterinary medicine or as pessaries e.g. containing conventional pessary bases.

The compounds according to the invention may be formulated for topical administration, for use in human and veterinary medicine, in the form of ointments, creams, gels, lotions, shampoos, powders, (including spray powders), pessaries, tampons, sprays, dips, aerosols, drops (e.g. eye ear or nose drops) or pour-ons.

Aerosol sprays are conveniently delivered from pressurised packs, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g. dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas.

For topical administration by inhalation the compounds according to the invention may be delivered for use in human or veterinary medicine via a nebuliser.

The pharmaceutical compositions for topical administration may also contain other active ingredients such as corticosteroids or antifungals as appropriate.

The compositions may contain from 0.01-99% of the active material. For topical administration, for example, the composition will generally contain from 0.01-10%, more preferably 0.01-1% of the active material.

For systemic administration the daily dose as employed for adult human treatment will range from 5-100 mg/kg body weight, preferably 10-60 mg/kg body weight, which may be administered in 1 to 4 daily doses, for example, depending on the route of administration and the condition of the patient. When the composition comprises dosage units, each unit will preferably contain 200 mg to 1 g of active ingredient.

The duration of treatment will be dictated by the rate of response rather than by arbitrary numbers of days.

The compounds of formula (I) may be prepared from the compounds of formula (11) wherein R is as defined in formula (I) and R₁₀ is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl protecting group and R₁₁ is hydrogen or a carboxyl protecting group and R₁₂ is an optionally substituted phenoxy or imidazolyl group or halogen atom ##STR7## by reaction with an amine (III; R₁ R₂ NH) wherein R₁ and R₂ have the meanings defined above, followed where necessary or desired by removal of the hydroxyl protecting group R₁₀ and the carboxy protecting group R₁₁. The reaction is preferably carried out in a solvent such as a halohydrocarbon (e.g. dichloromethane) or an ether (e.g. tetrahydrofuran) or an amide (e.g. N,N-dimethylformamide) or acetonitrile at a temperature with the range of room temperature to the reflux temperature of the solvent and optionally in the presence of a base such as a tertiary amine e.g. triethylamine.

In a further process of the invention compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by reaction of the amine (IV) in which R has the meanings defined in formula (I) and R₁₀ and R₁₁ are as defined in formula (II) ##STR8## with the isocyanate (V) wherein R₂ has the meanings defined in formula (I) or is a protected derivatives thereof, or the compound (VI) wherein R₁ and R₂ have the meanings defined or are a protected derivative thereof and R₁₂ is an optionally substituted phenoxy or imidazolyl group or halogen followed where necessary or desired by removal of any protecting group.

The reaction with the isocyanate (V) is conveniently carried out in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or aqueous tetrahydrofuran, a halohydrocarbon (e.g. dichloromethane), or acetonitrile optionally in the the presence of a base such as triethylamine, and at a temperature with the range of 0°-80° C.

The reaction with the compound (VI) is preferably carried out in a solvent such as a halohydrocarbon (e.g. dichloromethane) or an ether (e.g. tetrahydrofuran) or an amide (e.g. N,N-dimethylformamide) at a temperature with the range of room temperature to the reflux temperature of the solvent and optionally in the presence of a base such as a tertiary amine e.g. triethylamine. When the reaction is carried out using a compound of formula (VI) wherein R₁₂ is halogen the reaction is conveniently carried out at a temperature with the range 0-60.

The compounds of formula I wherein R and R₁ are C₁₋₆ alkyl may be obtained by the cyclisation of a compound of formula (VII) ##STR9## Wherein R, R₁ and R₂ have the meaning defined in formula I or are a protected derivatives thereof with the proviso that R₁ and or R are not hydrogen, R₁₀ and R₁₁ are as defined in formula (11), Y is an oxygen atom or a phosphine group, and if required or desired subjecting the resulting compound prior to or subsequent to any separation into its stereochemical isomers, to one or more of the following operations:

a) removal of one or more protecting groups

b) conversion of a compound in which R₁₁ is hydrogen or a carboxyl protecting group into a salt of an inorganic or organic base, an acid addition salt thereof or a metabolically labile ester thereof.

The cyclisation of a compound of formula (VII) in which Y is oxygen is conveniently carried out by heating in the presence of an organic phosphite.

The reaction is preferably carried out in a solvent or mixture of solvents at a temperature within the range 60°-200°.

Suitable solvents include hydrocarbons with an appropriate boiling point, for example aromatic hydrocarbons, such as toluene or xylene.

Suitable organic phosphites include acyclic and cyclic trialkylphosphites, triarylphosphites and mixed alkylarylphosphites. Particularly useful organic phosphites are the trialkylphosphites e.g. triethylphosphite or trimethylphosphite.

The cyclisation of a compound of formula (VII) in which Y is a phosphine grouping is preferably carried out in a solvent at a temperature between 40°-200° C. Suitable solvents include hydrocarbons such as aromatic hydrocarbons, for example xylene or toluene, aliphatic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, chloroform and trichloroethane. Examples of suitable phosphine groups are triarylphosphines e.g. triphenyl phosphine or trialkylphospines e.g. tri-t-butylphospine.

The hydroxyl and carboxyl protecting groups R₁₀ and R₁₁ may be removed by conventional procedures and in any order. More preferably however the hydroxyl protecting group R₁₀ is removed prior to the removal of the carboxyl protecting group. Such removal of the protecting groups is a further feature of the invention.

The hydroxyl protecting groups may be removed by well known standard procedures such as those described in Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, pages 46-119, edited by J. F. W. Mc Omie (Plenum Press, 1973). For example when R₁₀ is a t-butyldimethylsilyl group, this may be removed by treatment with tetrabutylammonium fluoride and acetic acid. This process is conveniently carried out in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran. Similarly when R₁₀ is a 4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyloxy group this may be removed by treatment with hydrogen and a metal catalyst e.g. palladium on carbon.

The carboxyl protecting group R₁₁ may also be removed by standard processes such as those described in Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry, pages 192-210, edited by J. F. W. Mc Omie (Plenum Press 1973). For example when R₁₁ represents an arylmethyl group this may be removed by conventional procedures using hydrogen and a metal catalyst e.g. palladium. When the group R₁₁ represents an allyl or substituted allyl group then this is preferably removed by treatment with an allyl acceptor in the presence of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium and optionally in the presence of triphenylphospine. Suitable allyl acceptors include sterically hindered amines such as tertbuylamine, cyclic secondary amines such as morpholine or thiomorphonine, tertiary amines such as triethylamine, aliphatic or cycloapliphatic β-dicarbonyl compounds such as acetylacetone, ethyl acetoacetate or dimedone, an alkanoic acids or alkali metal salts thereof such as acetic acid, propionic acid or 2-ethyl hexanoic acid or the potassium or sodium salt thereof, or 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexadiene.

A particularly useful allyl acceptor is 5,5-dimethyl 1,3-cyclohexadiene.

The reaction is preferably carried out in an inert solvent such as an ether e.g. diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, an alkanol e.g. ethanol, an ester e.g. ethyl acetate or a halohydrocarbon e.g. methylene chloride, or mixtures thereof. The reaction is conveniently carried out in the temperature range 0°-40° more particularly at room temperature.

Compounds of the invention in which the group R₁₁ is a physiologically acceptable cation may be prepared from compounds of the invention in which R₁₁ is hydrogen by treatment with a suitable base. Conveniently the salt is formed in solution and then if required precipitated by the addition of a non-solvent e.g. a non polar aprotic solvent. Alternatively the sodium or potassium salt may be prepared by treating a solution of a compound of formula (II) in which R₁₁ represents a hydrogen atom with a solution of sodium or potassium 2-ethylhexanoate in a non-polar solvent such as diethyl ether.

Compounds of formula (IV) are either known or may be prepared according to the processes described in EPA No. 0416953A2 or WO 92/15586.

Compounds of formula (II) may also be prepared by analogous methods to those described in EPA No. 0416953A2 and WO 92/15586. Thus reaction of the epoxide (VIII) ##STR10## wherein R₁₀ is hydroxyl protecting group and R₁₃ is C₁₋₄ alkyl, with ammonia or the amine RNH₂ wherein R is as defined in formula (I) gives the amino derivative (IX) ##STR11##

Reaction of the amino compound (VIII) with the appropriate chloroformate R₁₂ COCl wherein R₁₂ is an optionally substituted phenoxy group in the presence of a base such as pyridine, lutidine or triethylamine yields the corresponding carbamate(IX) ##STR12##

The compound (X) may be converted into the compound of formula (II) using the general procedures described in EPA NO. 0416953A2.

In the above reaction when it is necessary or desirable to use a hydroxyl protecting group R₁₀ suitable hydroxyl protecting groups include trialkylsilyl e.g. trimethylsilyl or t-butyldimethylsilyl,.

Suitable carboxyl protecting groups R₁₁ for use in the above reactions include arylmethyl groups such as benzyl, p-nitrobenzyl t-butylbenzyl or trityl, allyl or substitured allyl groups or trialkylsilylalkyl e.g. trimethylsilyl ethyl.

In the above processes for preparing the compounds of the invention via the compounds of formula (II) or (IV) it may also be necessary to protect reactive groups in the amine R₁ R₂ NH, or the isocyante R₂ NCO. Thus if R₂ contains a primary or secondary amino group or a hydroxyl group it may be necessary to protect this group in a conventional manner e.g. as an, allyloxycarbonyl or a trimethylsilyl derivative thereof.

The various protecting groups may be removed in a conventional manner.

Compounds of formula (VII) in which Y=O may be prepared by treating a compound of formula (XI) in which the groups R₁₀, R, R₁, R₂ have the meanings given above with an activated derivative of the acid (XII) in which R₁₁ is a carboxyl protecting group. ##STR13##

Suitable activated derivatives of the acid (XII) includes the corresponding acide halides e.g. acid chloride.

When the acid halide is used as the activated derivative of the acid (XII) then the reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of an acid acceptor such as a tertiary organic base for example pyridine or a trialkylamine in an aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane.

The compound of formula (VII) in which Y is a phosphine group may be prepared by treating the intermediate (XIII) in which L is a leaving group such as a halogen e.g. chlorine. ##STR14## with the corresponding phosphine e.g. triphenylphosphine in the presence of a base. The reaction is conveniently carried out in a solvent such as dioxan in the presence of a tertiary organic base, e.g. 2,6 lutidine.

The compounds of formula (XIII) may be prepared form the corresponding hydroxy derivative (XIV) by conventional means for converting hydroxyl groups into leaving groups. ##STR15##

Thus for example a compound of formula (XIII) in which L is a chlorine atom may be prepared by treating a compound of formula (XIV) with thionyl chloride in an aprotic solvent such as dioxan or tetrahydrofuran and in the presence of a tertiary organic base e.g. 2,6-lutidine. Compounds of formula (XIV) may be prepared from the reaction of a compound of formula (XI) with glyoxylic ester (XV; CHOCO₂ R₁₁) preferably in the form of its hydrate or hemiacetal. The reaction is preferably carried out in an aprotic solvent such as toluene and in the presence of an activated molecular sieve.

The compound of formula (XI) may be prepared by oxidation of compound of formula (XVI) ##STR16## wherein R₂ is the meanings defined in formula (I) or is a protecting derivatives thereof, R and R₁ are C₁₋₆ alkyl group.

The oxidation may be carried out using conventional oxidising agents known in the art for converting a secondary alcohol such as cyclohexanol into a ketone such as cyclohexanone.

Thus for example the reaction may be carried out using oxalyl chloride and dimethylsulphoxide in a solvent such as methylene chloride. The compounds of formula. (XVI) may be prepared by reaction of compounds of formula (XVII) wherein R₁₀ is defined as in formula (X) ##STR17## with carbamoyl chloride ClCONR1R2 where in the R1 is C1-6 alkyl and R2 is defined as in formula I

Compounds of formula (XVII) are either known or may be prepared according to the processes describing in EPA No. O416953A2 or WO 92/15586

In any of the formulae (I) to (XVII)) shown above when there is an asymmetric carbon atom and no specific configuration is shown then the formula includes all possible configurations.

Specific stereoisomers of the compounds of formula (I) as defined in formulae 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d, essentially free of the other stereoisomers may be prepared by using the general processes described above starting with the appropriate stereoisomer of formula (II) or (IV).

The processes described above for preparing the compounds of formula (II) will in general give a mixture of stereoisomers.

The individual stereoisomers of the compounds of formula (II) may be prepared using the processes described above starting with the appropriate steroisomer of formula (V).

In order that the invention may be more fully understood the following examples are given by way of illustration only.

In the Preparations and Examples, unless otherwise stated:

Infrared spectra were measured in chloroform-d₁ solutions on a FT-IR instrument. Proton Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectra were recorded at 300 MHz gas solutions in D₂ O. Chemical shifts are reported in ppm downfield (δ) from Me₄ Si, used as an internal standard. Temperatures are in 0° C.

Intermediate 1 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (N-allyloxycarbonyl-N-methyl)amino!-10-(1'-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of (3S,4R)-3- R-1-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl!-4- (2'S,6'R)-2'-(N-allyloxycarbonyl-N-methylamino-1'-oxocyclohex-6-yl)!azetidin-2-one (12 g) in anhydrous methylene chloride (120 ml) potassium carbonate (7.5 g) and pyridine (5.9 ml) were added under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was cooled to 0° C., then a solution of benzyl oxalylchloride (10.9 g) in anhydrous methylene chloride (30 ml) was dropped. After 3 hrs the mixture was poured into a cold satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (100 ml) and then extracted with ethyl acetate (250 ml). The organic layer was washed with a cold solution of ammonium chloride (100 ml) and brine (50 ml), then it was dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluant: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 7:3) to give an oil (16 g) which was dissolved in nonane (300 ml). Triethylphosphite (27.8 ml) was added and the solution was refluxed overnight. After cooling to room temperature, 5% hydrogen peroxide solution (250 ml, 5% solution) was added, the mixture was stirred for 3 hrs then extracted with ethyl acetate (200 ml). The organic layer was washed with H₂ O (100 ml), brine (50 ml), then dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. After flash chromatography (eluant: cyclohexanelethyl acetate 7:3) the title compound was obtained (10 g) as a yellow oil.

Intermediate 2 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-methylamino-10- (1'-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

Intermediate 1 (2 g) was dissolved in anhydrous methylene chloride (25 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere and cooled to 0° C. N,N-dimethyltrimethylsilylamine (1.7 ml), trimethylsilyl trifluoroacetate (1.8 ml) and a suspension of palladium tetrakis(triphenylphosphine (0.200 g) in anhydrous methylene chloride (1 ml) were added. After 15 min. the mixture was poured into a satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (20 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (100 ml). The organic layer was dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluant ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (1.2 g) as a yellow oil.

Intermediate 3 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (N-chlorocarbonyl-N-methyl)amino!-10- (1'-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

A solution of intermediate 2 (0.500 g) in anhydrous methylene chloride (10 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere was cooled to -50° C., then a solution of phosgene (0.75 ml of a solution 1.93M in toluene) and triethylamine (0.440 ml) in anhydrous methylene chloride (4 ml) was dropped. After 2 hrs at -50° C. the reaction was quenched with a cold satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (20 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (50 ml). The organic layer was dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. After flash chromatography (eluant: cyclohexanelethyl acetate 7:3) the title compound was obtained (0.430 g) as a yellow oil.

Intermediate 4 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- N- (N-benzyl-N-methyl)aminocarbonyl!-N-methyl!amino-10- (1'-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0.sup.3,8 !undec-2-ene-2carboxylate

To a solution of intermediate 2 (0.400 g) in anhydrous toluene (20 ml) triethylamine (0.160 ml) and benzylmethylcarbamoyl chloride (0.395 g) were added. The mixture was warmed to 80° C. for 24 hrs, then poured into a satured ammonium chloride solution (50 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (100 ml). The organic layer was washed with a satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (50 ml) and brine (50 ml), then dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluant: cyclohexanelethyl acetate 7:3) to give the title compound (0.120 g) as a yellow oil.

Intermediate 5 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- N- (N-benzyl-N-methyl)aminocarbonyl!-N-methyl!amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of intermediate 4 (0.340 g) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) acetic acid (0.185 ml) and tetrabutylammonium fluoride (2.16 ml of a 1M solution in tetrahydrofuran) were added. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 4 days, then diluted with ethyl acetate (150 ml) and washed with a satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (50 ml) and brine (50 ml). The organic layer was dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluant: cyclohexanelethyl acetate 1:1) to give the title compound (0.225 g) as a white solid.

Intermediate 6 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- N- N-(2-pyridyl)-N-methylaminocarbonyl!-N-methyl!amino-10- (1'-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of intermediate 2 (0.300 g) in anhydrous toluene (20 ml) triethylamine (0.340 ml) and 2-pyridylmethylcarbamoyl chloride (0.210 g) were added. The mixture was warmed to 40° C. for 7 hrs and at room temperature over night, then poured into a satured ammonium chloride solution (50 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (100 ml). The organic layer was washed with a satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (50 ml) and brine (50 ml), then dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluant: cyclohexanelethyl acetate 1:1) to give the title compound (0.240 g) as a yellow oil.

Intermediate 7 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- N- N-(2-pyridyl)-N-methylaminocarbonyl!-N'-methyl!amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of intermediate 6 (0.230 g) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) acetic acid (0.130 ml) and tetrabutylammonium fluoride (0.470 g in 2 ml of tetrahydrofuran) were added. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 4 days, then diluted with ethyl acetate (150 ml) and washed with a satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (50 ml) and brine (50 ml). The organic layer was dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluant: ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (0.110 g) as a white solid.

IR (CDCl₃) V_(max) cm⁻¹ : 3408, 1717.

Intermediate 8 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- N- N-2-(2-pyridylethyl)-N'-methylaminocarbonyl!-N-methyl!amino-10- (1'-t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0⁸,3 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of intermediate 3 (0.180 g) in anhydrous methylene chloride (10 ml) triethylamine (0.045 ml) and 2-(2-methylaminoethyl)pyridine (0.045 ml) were added. The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature then quenched with a satured ammonium chloride solution (10 ml) and extracted with ethyl acetate (50 ml). The organic layer was dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluant: cyclohexanelethyl acetate 2:8) to give the title compound (0.200 g) as a yellow oil.

Intermediate 9 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- N- N-2-(2-pyridylethyl)-N-methylaminocarbonyl!-N'-methyl!amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of intermediate 8 (0.195 g) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (20 ml) acetic acid (0.105 ml) and tetrabutylammonium fluoride (0.370 g in 2 ml of tetrahydrofuran) were added. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 4 days, then diluted with ethyl acetate (150 ml) and washed with a satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (50 ml) and brine (50 ml). The organic layer was dried and evaporated under reduced pressure. The crude was purified by flash chromatography (eluant: ethyl acetate) to give the title compound (0.120 g) as a white solid.

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 8.52 (d), 7.59 (td), 7.45 (d), 7.40-7.10 (m), 5.37 (d), 5.22 (d), 5.01 (t), 4.24 (m), 4.09 (dd), 3.66 (m), 3.18 (dd), 3.04 (t+m), 2.90 (s), 2.48 (s),2.30-1.20 (m), 1.33 (d).

MS (VGquattro-FAB-NBA) m/z: 533.

Intermediate 10 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R) 4- (N-allyloxycarbonyl-N-methyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

Acetic acid (3.32 ml) and tetrabutylammonium fluoride trihydrate (12.2 g) were added to a solution of intermediate 1 (5.5 g) in distilled tetrahydrofuran (250 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting solution was stirred at 23° for 18 h, then diluted with ethyl acetate (500 ml) and washed with a satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (400 ml) and brine (400 ml). The organic layer was dried (Na₂ SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to an oil which was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 3:7, to give the title compound (2.6 g) as a pale yellow oil.

IR (CDCl₃) V_(max) cm⁻¹ : 1774, 1720 and 1691 (C═O)

Intermediate 11 Benzyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R) 4- (N-allyloxycarbonyl-N-methyl)amino!-10- 1'-(4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl)hydroxyethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

4-Dimethylaminopyridine (184 mg) and 4-nitrobenzylchloroformiate (296 mg) were added to a solution of intermediate 10 (640 mg) in dry dichloromethane (35 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere. The solution was stirred at 23° for 1 h, then further 4-dimethylaminopyridine (368 mg) and 4-nitrobenzylchloroformiate (592 mg) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 23° for 1 h, then diluted with ethyl acetate (100 ml) and washed with satured ammonium chloride solution (70 ml), satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (70 ml) and brine (70 ml). The organic layer was dried (Na₂ SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo to an oil, which was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 6:4, to give the title compound (700 mg) as a white foam.

IR (CDCl₃) V_(max) cm⁻¹ : 1774, 1749 and 1713 (C═O)

Intermediate 12 Benzyl (4S,8S,9R,10S,12S) 4-methylamino-10- 1'-(4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl)hydroxyethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

A solution of intermediate 11 (700 mg) in dry dichloromethane (8 ml) was cooled to 0°, then N,N-dimethyltrimethylsilylamine (0.52 ml), trimethylsilyl trifluoroacetate (0.56 ml) and a suspension of palladium tetrakis triphenilphosphine (64 mg) in dry dichloromethane (1 ml) were added under a nitrogen atmosphere.

The mixture was stirred at 0° for 30 min, then diluted with ethyl acetate (20 ml) and washed with a satured sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (20 ml) and brine (20 ml). The organic phase was dried (Na₂ SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo; the residue was purified by flash chromatography eluting with ethyl acetate/methanol 98:2 to give the title compound (360 mg) as a white foam.

Intermediate 13 Benzyl (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R) 4- (N-chlorocarbonyl-N-methyl)amino!-10- 1'-(4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl)hydroxyethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

A solution of intermediate 12 (320 mg) and triethylamine (0.25 ml) in dry dichloromethane (5 ml) was added to a 1.93M solution of phosgene in toluene (0.47 ml) previously cooled to -78° under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting solution was stirred at -50° for 1 h, then diluted with ethyl acetate (15 ml) and washed with satured sodium hydroxide solution (15 ml) and brine (15 ml). The organic layer was dried (Na₂ SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo; the residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 4:6, to give the title compound (0.2 g) as a yellow oil.

IR (nujol) V_(max) cm⁻¹ : 1780 and 1734 (C═O)

Intermediate 14 Benzyl (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R) 4-{N- (1"-S-benzyloxycarbonylethyl)carbamoyl!-(N-methyl)}amino-10- 1'-(4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl)hydroxyethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

Triethylamine (0.093 ml) and L-alanine benzyl ester (69 mg) were added to a solution of intermediate 13 (195 mg) in dry dichloromethane (5 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting mixture was stirred at 23° for 24 h, then diluted with ethyl acetate (20 ml) and washed with a satured ammonium chloride solution (20 ml) and brine (20 ml). The organic layer was dried (Na₂ SO₄) and concentrated in vacuo; the residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 2:8, to give the title compound (175 mg) as colourless oil.

IR (CDCl₃) V_(max) cm⁻¹ : 1745, 1645 (C═O); 1603 (C═C)

Intermediate 15 (3S,4R)-3- (R)-1-(t-butydimethylsilyloxy)ethyl!-4-((R)-2'-((S)-6'- N- (N'-methyl-N'-phenyl)aminocarbonyl!-N-methylamino-1'-hydroxycyclohexyl!-azetidin-2-one

To a solution of intermediate (3S,4R)-3- R-1-(t-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl!-4- (,2'S,6'R)-2'-(N-allyloxycarbonyl-N-methylamino-1'-hydroxycyclohex-6-yl)!azetidin-2-one (1.437 g) in dichloromethane (55 ml) a room temperature triethylamine (0.90 ml) and N-methyl-N-phenylcarboxy chloride (800 mg) were added.

The reaction mixture was left at room temperature for 48 h, then the it was poured into ammonium chloride solution. The organic phase was was washed with brine (3×100 ml) and the solvent removed under vacuo to give the crude material which was purified by flash chromatography to give the title compound (1.72 g).IR (nujol) cm⁻¹ : 1745, 1628, 1595. ¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 7.35 (t), 7.14 (t), 7.12 (d), 5.89 (bs), 4.30 (m), 4.00 (td), 3.97 (dd), 3.95 (d), 3.78 (m), 3.23 (s), 3.19 (d), 2.40 (s), 2.23 (m), 1.69 (m), 1.6-1.3 (m),1.35 (d), 0.91 (s), 0.12 (s). MS (FAB(+)NBA m/z: 490

Intermediate 16 3(3S,4R)-3- (R)-1-t-butydimethylsilyloxy)ethyl!-4-((R)-2'-((S)-6'- -N- N'-methyl-N'-phenyl)aminocarbonyl!-N-methylamino-1'-oxocyclohexyl!-azetidin-2-one

To a solution of oxalyl chloride (1.23 ml) in dry dichloromethane (150 ml) at -78° C. dimethyl sulfoxide (2.0 ml) in dry dichloromethane (40 ml) was added; after 15 min., a solution of intermediate 15 (1.7 g) in dry dichloromethane (40 ml) was added and the resulting mixture was left under stirring at -78° C. After 15 min. triethylamine (5.34 ml) was added and the reaction mixture warm up to 0° C., poured into a saturated ammonium chloride solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was was washed with brine (3×100 ml) and the solvent removed under vacuo to give the the title compound (1.67 g). IR (CDCl₃) cm⁻¹ : 1757, 1718, 1653.

Intermediate 17 Allyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- N- (N'-methyl-N'-phenyl)aminocarbonyl!-methylamino!-10-(1'dimethyl-t-butylsilyloxy)ethyl-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0.sup.3,8 !-undec-2-carboxylate

To a solution of intermediate 16 (0.980 g) in dry dichloromethane (15 ml) at 0° C., solid potassium carbonate, allyloxalyl chloride (0.47 ml) and pyridine(0.28 ml) were added and the resulting mixture was left under stirring at 20° C. A further amount of allyloxalyl chloride (0.47 ml) and pyridine (0.28 ml) were added until complete reaction, then potassium carbonate was filtered off and the reaction mixture was washed with a 1% hydrogen chloride cold solution, the saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate and brine. The solvent was removed under vacuo to give the the crude compound which was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel, to give the title compound (0.90 g). Intermediate 4 (0.90 g) was dissolved in xylene (30 ml) and triethyl phosphite (1.3 ml) was added and the resulting mixture was left under stirring at 140° C. for 14 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuo to give the crude compound which was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel, to give the title compound (0.21 g).

IR (CDCl₃) cm⁻¹ : 1767, 1728, 1641, 1597.

Intermediate 18 5-Allyl-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- N- (N'-methyl-N'-phenyl)aminocarbonyl!-methylamino!-10-(1'hydroxyethyl-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2-carboxylate

To a solution of intermediate 17 (0.210 g) in dry THF (19 ml) at 20° C., acetic acid (0.116 ml) and tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1M solution in THF) (1.5 ml) were added and the resulting mixture was left under stirring at 20° C. for 60 h. The reaction mixture was washed with a saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (3×50 ml), ammonium chloride solution (3×50 ml) and brine (3×50 ml). The solvent was removed under vacuo to give the the crude compound which was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel, to give the title compound (0.10 g).

IR (CDCl₃) cm⁻¹ : 1769, 1720, 1643.

Intermediate 19 (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid Intermediate 20 (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-N-methylamino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid EXAMPLE 1

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(phenylaminocarbonylamino)-10-1'-hydroxyethyl-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (110 mg) was dissolved at 0°. in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (3.5 ml) and 0.025M, pH=7 sodium phosphate buffer solution (6.5 ml). Phenyl isocyanate (2 ml) was added and the mixture stirred for 15 min. The solid diphenylurea was filtered. The aqueous solution was washed three times with ethyl acetate (10 ml), evaporated to reduce its volume (2 ml) then passed through a reverse phase column (techoprep 40-63 C18). The title compound (70 mg) was obtained by freeze drying the fraction eluted with a 10% solution of acetonitrile in water.

IR (nujol) Vmax cm--1: 1653 (C═O), 1749 (C═O B-lactam);

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D2O): 7.22(t), 7.15(m), 7.01(t),5.17(m), 4.07(m), 4.01(dd), 3.23(dd), 3.03(m),1.85(m), 1.78(m),1.7-1.5(m), 1.3-1.16(m) and 1.12(d) ppm. MS (VGquattro-FAB(+)NBA) m/z: 408

EXAMPLE 2

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- 4"-methoxyphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10,12R) 4 amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (70 mg) in dry tetrahydrofuran (6 ml), trietheylamine (0.15 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22°. The solution was stirred for 10 min, then p-methoxyphenyl isocyanate (0.1 ml) was added. The obtained mixture was stirred for 15 min then filtered over celite. A 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate in tetrahydrofuran (0.6 ml) was added to the filtrate. After 10 min the tetrahydrofuran solution was partially concentrated and treated with diethylether to give a solid which was centrifuged washed with ethyl acetate/diethylether 8/2 and dried to afford a white solid (65 mg). The solid was dissolved in water, washed three times with ethyl acetate (10 ml), then passed through a reverse phase column (techoprep 40-63 C18). The title compound (20 mg) was obtained by freeze drying the fraction eluted with a 10% solution of acetonitrile in water.

IR (nujul) Vmax cm-1: 1664 (C═O), 1750 (C═O B-lactam);

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 7.05 (m), 6.82(m), 5.14(m), 4.07(m), 3.98(dd), 3.67(s), 3.24(dd),3.03(m), 1.84(m), 1.76(m), 1.68-1.50(m), 1.22(m) and 1.12(d) p.p.m.

MS (VGquattro-FAB(+)NBA) m/z: 438

EXAMPLE 3

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-fluorophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R) 4 amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (75 mg) in dry tetrahydrofuran (6 ml), triethylamine (0.17 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22° The solution was stirred for 10 min, then p-fluorophenyl isocyanate (0.1 ml) was added. The obtained mixture was stirred for 15 min then a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate in tetrahydrofuran (0.6 ml) was added. The tetrahydrofuran solution was partially concentrated and treated with diethylether to give a solid which was centrifuged washed with ethyl acetate/diethylether 8/2 and dried to afford title compound (47 mg) as a white solid.

IR (nujul) Vmax cm-1: 1672 (C═O), 1750 (C═O B-lactam);

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 7.10 (m), 6.94(m), 5.14(m), 4.07(m), 3.98(dd), 3.24(dd),3.03(m), 1.90-1.70(m), 1.68-1.46(m), 1.30-1.14(m) and 1.12(d) p.p.m.

MS (VGquattro-FAB(+)NBA) m/z: 426.

EXAMPLE 4

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(benzylmethylaminocarbonylmethylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

Intermediate 5 (0.220 g) was dissolved in a mixture of isopropanol (10 ml) and water (10 ml); then 5% palladium on activated carbon (0.022 g) and sodium hydrogen carbonate (0.035 g) were added. The mixture was hydrogenated (1 atm.) for 3 hrs, filtered on a celite pad and extracted with diethyl ether. The aqueous layer was freeze dried to give the title compound (0.175 g) as a white solid.

IR (CDCl₃) V_(max) cm⁻¹ : 1749, 1653.

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 7.27 (t), 7.19 (t), 7.13 (d), 4.76 (m), 4.34 (m), 4.06 (m), 3.93 (dd), 3.19 (dd), 2.80 (m), 2.73 (s), 2.59 (s), 2.11 (dm), 1.65 (m), 1.50-1.20 (m), 1.09 (d).

EXAMPLE 5

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- N- N-(2-pyridyl)-N-methylaminocarbonyl!-N-methyl!amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

Intermediate 7 (0.110 g) was dissolved in a mixture of isopropanol (10 ml) and water (10 ml); then 5% palladium on activated carbon (0.011 g) and sodium hydrogen carbonate (0.018 g) were added. The mixture was hydrogenated (1 atm.) for 3 hrs, filtered on a celite pad and extracted with diethyl ether. The aqueous layer was freeze dried to give the title compound (0.070 g) as a white solid.

IR (CDCl₃)V_(max) cm⁻¹ : 1751, 1653, 1591.

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 8.1 (dd), 7.63 (td), 6.96 (t), 6.86 (d), 4.98 (bm), 4.04 (m), 3.89 (dd), 3.20 (dd), 3.06 (m), 2.88 (m), 2.66 (s), 2.08 (m), 1.72 (m), 1.60-1.20 (m), 1.08 (d).

EXAMPLE 6

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- 2-(2-pyridylethyl)methylaminocarbonylmethylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

Intermediate 9(0.120 g) was dissolved in a mixture of isopropanol (10 ml) and water (10 ml); then 5% palladium on activated carbon (0.012 g) and sodium hydrogen carbonate (0.019 g) were added. The mixture was hydrogenated (1 atm.) for 3 hrs, filtered on a celite pad and extracted with diethyl ether. The aqueous layer was freeze dried to give the title compound (0.080 g) as a white solid.

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 8.27 n(d), 7.62 (m), 7.20 (d), 7.13 (m), 4.7 (m), 4.03 (m), 3.79 (dd), 3.52 (m), 3.14 (dd), 2.88 (m), 2.74 (s), 2.29 (s), 2.40 (m), 1.90 (m), 1.60 (m), 1.40-1.10 (m), 1.10 (d).

MS (VGquattro-FAB-NBA) m/z: 465.

EXAMPLE 7

Disodium (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R) 4-{N- (1"-S-1-carboxyethyl)carbamoyl!-(N-methyl)}amino-10- 1'-hydroxyethyl!-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

A suspension of intermediate 6 (130 mg), sodium hydrogen carbonate (30 mg), 10% palladium on carbon (13 mg) in isopropanol (15 ml) and water (15 ml) was hydrogenated at 1 atm for 1 h. After filtration, the solution was concentrated in vacuo to half volume and freeze dried. The residue was purified by preparative HPLC (technoprep 40-63 C18; elution acetonitrile/water 10:90) to give the title compound (8 mg) as a white solid.

IR (nujol) V_(max) cm⁻¹ : 3389 (OH and NH); 1770 and 1610 (C═O)

¹ H-NMR (500 MHz, D₂ O): 5.26 (dd); 4.15 (m); 4.06 (dd); 3.97 (q); 3.27 (dd); 3.07 (m); 2.94 (s); 2.10 (m); 1.86 (m); 1.76-1.54 (m); 1.27 (m); 1.23 (d); 1.20 (d).

MS (VGquattro-FAB-NBA) m/z:440

EXAMPLE 8

Sodium- (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (phenyl-N'-methyl)-amino!carbonyl-N-methylamino!-10-(1'hydroxyethyl-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.03,8!-undec-2-carboxylate

To a solution of intermediate 18 (0.10 g) in dry THF (4 ml) at 20° C. tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(O) (10 mg) and triethylphosphine (3 mg) were added at 20° C. After 10 min. sodium ethyl exanoate (0.5M solution in THF) (0.41 ml) was added and the resulting mixture was left under stirring for 30 min. A 1/1 diethyl ether/petroleum (10 ml) solution was then added, the solid was filtered, washed twice with the same mixture to give the title compound (42 mg).

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 7.27(m), 7.08 (m), 7.04 (m), 4.98 (m), 4.05 (m), 3.94(dd), 3.21 (dd), 3.04 (s), 2.83 (m), 2.45 (s), 2.03 (m), 1.70 (m), 1.56-1.24 (m), 1.14 (m), 1.09 9d).

EXAMPLE 9

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(3"-pyridineaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid(130 mg) was suspended in acetonitrile(15 ml) at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. Triethylamine(75 mg) was added to the reaction mixture which was then stirred at room temperature for 10 mins. Then 3-pyridine-isocyanate(0.4 g) was added and the mixture stirred for a further 20 mins. Next a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate(1.0 ml) was added to the stirred reaction mixture. Stirring was continued for a further 10 mins., after which the volume of solvent was reduced by half in vacuo. Acetone(10 ml) and light petroleum(10 ml) were then added to the reaction mixture. This resulted in the precipitation of an off-white solid, which was filtered, washed with ethyl acetate(2×30 ml), diethyl ether(2×30 ml),and dried to afford the title compound (107 mg) as a white solid.

IR(nujol) Vmax cm⁻¹ : 3340-3194(N--H), 1755(C═O, b-lactam), 1680(C═C, C═N).

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O):8.30(bs), 8.05(d), 7.63(d), 7.22(dd), 5.16(bs), 4.04(m), 3.85(dd), 3.22(dd), 3.01(m), 1.83(m), 1.8-1.7(m), 1.65-1.50(m), 1.3-1.2(m), and 1.09(d).

EXAMPLE 10

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-hydroxyphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (200 mg) in acetone (30 ml), triethylamine (0.15 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22°. The solution was stirred for 10 min, then o-allyloxycarbonyloxyphenyl isocyanate (245 mg) was added. The obtained solution was stirred for 15 min, then a solution of dimedone (159 mg) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium (0) (26 mg) in acetone (3 ml) was added. The resulting solution was stirred for 90 min, then a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylexanoate in tetrahydrofuran (1.5 ml) was added. After 10 min the mixture was partially concentrated and stirred for 1 h, the solid was centrifuged, washed with ethyl acetate and ether and dried to afford a white solid (180 mg). The solid was purified by preparative HPLC (column techoprep 40-63 C18). The title compound (36 mg) was obtained by freeze drying the fraction elueted with a 10% of acetonitrile in water.

IR (nujul) Vmax cm-1: 1599 (C═O), 1761 (C═O β-lactam), 3341 (O--H, N--H);

1H-NMR (300 MHz, D2O): 7.19(m), 6.96(m), 6.79(m), 5.18(m), 4.07(m), 3.99(dd), 3.23(dd), 3.04(m), 2.10(m), 1.12(d) p.p.m.

EXAMPLE 11

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-methylsuphonylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (100 mg) in acetone (15 ml), triethylamine (0.08 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22° C. The solution was stirred for 10 min, then p-methylsulphonylphenyl isocyanate (111 mg) was added. The obtained solution was stirred for 15 min, then a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylexanoate in tetrahydrofuran (0.75 ml) was added. After 10 min the mixture was partially concentrated and treated with petroleum ether to give a solid which was centrifuged, washed with petroleum ether/acetone 2/1 and dried to afford title compound (109 mg) as a pale yellow solid.

IR (nujol) Vmax cm-1: 1693 (C═O), 1755 (C=O β-lactam), 3331 (O--H, N--H);

1H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 7.69(d), 7.43(d), 5.19(m), 4.05(m), 3.95(dd), 3.22(dd), 3.07(s), 3.03(m), 1.88-1.70(m), 1.30-1.00(m), 1.09(d) p.p.m.

EXAMPLE 12

Sodium (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(uracil-5'-amino)carbonylamino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-aza-tricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2-ene carboxylate

To a suspension of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (100 mg) in acetonitrile (15 ml), triethylamine (0.10 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22° C. The suspension was stirred for 5 min and then uracyl-5-isocyanate (75 mg) was added and reaction stirred at 70° C. for 1 hour, then more isocyanate (20 mg) was added and reaction stirred at 70° C. for further 40'. The resulting suspension was cooled, solvent evaporated and residue resuspended in acetone (15 ml). Sodium 2-ethylhexanoate (0.75 ml of a 0.5M solution in THF) was added, suspension stirred for for 30' under N₂ and then filtered, washing with ethyl acetate and diethyl ether, to give 400 mg of a solid which was purified by preparative HPLC (column techoprep 40-63 C18) to afford the title compound as a white solid (31 mg)

IR (nujol) Vmax cm-1: 1666 (C═O), 1713 (C═Oβ-lactam), 3335-3202 (O--H, N--H); 1H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O, ppm): 7.47(bs), 5.10(bs), 4.06(m), 3.99(dd), 3.22(dd), 3.00(s), 1.80-1.70(m), 1.30-1.10(m), 1.10(d)

EXAMPLE 13

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(3"-picolylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid(120 mg) was suspended in acetone(20 ml) at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. Triethylamine(0.2 ml) was added to the reaction mixture which was then stirred at room temperature for 10 mins. Then 3-picolyl-aminocarbonylimidazole (0.45 g) was added and the mixture stirred at 50° C. for 1 hr. The solution was cooled at 0° C. and a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate(0.8 ml) was added to the stirred reaction mixture. Stirring was continued for a further 10 mins., after which the volume of solvent was reduced by half in vacuo. This resulted in the precipitation of an off-white solid, which was filtered, washed with ethyl acetate(2×30 ml), diethyl ether(2×30 ml),and dried to afford the title compound (120 mg) as a white solid.

IR(nujol) Vmax cm⁻¹ : 3265(N--H), 1751 (C═O, β-lactam).

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O):8.2(m), 7.51(d), 7.25(m), 4.96(bm), 4.34(d), 4.1-4.0(m),3.84(dd), 3.16(dd), 2.90(m), 1.8-1.7(m), 1.6-1.4(m), 1.25(m), and 1.09(d).

EXAMPLE 14

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(2"-furfurylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid(130 mg) was suspended in acetone(20 ml) at room temperature under a nitrogen atmosphere. Triethylamine(0.2 ml) was added to the reaction mixture which was then stirred at room temperature for 10 mins. Then 2-furfurylaminocarbonylimidazole (0.45 g) was added and the mixture stirred at 50° C. for 1 hr. The solution was cooled at 0° C. and a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate(0.8 ml) was added to the stirred reaction mixture. Stirring was continued for a further 10 mins., after which the volume of solvent was reduced by half in vacuo. This resulted in the precipitation of an off-white solid, which was filtered,washed with ethyl acetate(2×30 ml), diethyl ether(2×30 ml),and dried to afford the title compound (60 mg) as a white solid.

IR(nujol) Vmax cm⁻¹ : 3302(N--H), 1753(C═O, β-lactam).

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O):7.25(m), 6.21 (dd), 6.02(d), 4.95(m), 4.22(d), 4.04(m), 3.98(d),3.85(dd), 3.16(dd), 2.89(m), 1.8-1.64(m), 1.6-1.38(m), 1.3-1.0(m), 1.09(d).

EXAMPLE 15

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-methoxyphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (100 mg) in acetone (15 ml), triethylamine (0.100 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22° C. followed by o-methoxyphenyl isocyanate (0.078 ml). The solution obtained was stirred for 60 min then a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate in tetrahydrofuran (0.67 ml) was added. After 10 min the mixture was partially concentrated and treated with petroleum ether (8 ml) to give a precipitate which was filtered under N₂, washed with petroleum ether/acetone 2/1 then petroleum ether, and dried to afford the title compound (102.6 mg) as a white solid.

IR (nujol) Vmax cm-1: 1753 (C═O β-lactam), 3339 (N--H);

1H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 7.30(d, 1H), 7.00(t, 1H), 6.92(d, 1H), 6.34(t, 1H), 5.18(s,1H), 4.07(m,1H), 3.99(dd,1H), 3.68(s,3H), 3.22(dd,1H), 3.02(s,1H), 1.90-1.70(m,2H), 1.70-1.50(m,2H), 1.30-1.10(m,2H), 1.12(d,3H) p.p.m.

EXAMPLE 16

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (benzylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (100 mg) in acetone (15 ml), triethylamine (0.100 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22° C. The solution was stirred for 10 min then benzyl isocyanate (0.070 ml) was added. The solution obtained was stirred for 40 min then a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate in tetrahydrofuran (0.74 ml) was added. After 15 min the mixture was partially concentrated and treated with petroleum ether to give a precipitate which was filtered under N₂, washed with petroleum ether/acetone 2/1 then petroleum ether and dried to afford the title compound (67 mg) as a white solid.

IR (nujol) Vmax cm-1: 1757 (C═O β-lactam), 3320 (N--H);

1H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 7.30-7.10(m,5H), 4.99(s, 1H), 4.28(d,1H), 4.10-4.00(m,2H), 3.85(dd,1H), 3.17(dd,1H), 2.89(m,1H), 1.84-1.64(m,2H), 1.60-1.40(m,2H), 1.30-1.10(m,2H), 1.11(d,3H) p.p.m.

EXAMPLE 17

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3"-cyanophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (100 mg) in acetone (15 ml), triethylamine (0.100 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22° C. followed by m-cyanophenyl isocyanate (82 mg). The solution obtained was stirred for 90 min then a further portion of m-cyanophenyl isocyanate was added (27 mg). The mixture was stirred for 30 min and then filtered giving a solution to which was added a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate in tetrahydrofuran (0.67 ml). After 5 min the mixture was partially concentrated and treated with petroleum ether (7 ml) to give a precipitate which was filtered under N₂, washed with petroleum ether/acetone 2/1 then petroleum ether, and dried to afford the title compound (73.5 mg) as a white solid.

IR (nujol) Vmax cm-1: 1680(C═O), 1753 (C═O β-lactam), 2250(CN), 3300 (O--H, N--H);

1H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 7.60(s, 1H), 7.41(m,1H), 7.32(m,2H), 5.18(m,1H), 4.07(m,1H), 3.97(dd,1H), 3.24(dd,1H), 3.02(m,1H), 1.85(m,1H), 1.76(m,1H), 1.70-1.48(m,3H), 1.30-1.10(m,1H), 1.12(d,3H) p.p.m.

EXAMPLE 18

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-phenoxyethylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (100 mg) in acetone (15 ml), triethylamine (0.100 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22° C. then phenoxyethyl isocyanate (0.200 ml) was added. The solution obtained was stirred for 2.5 h then a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate in tetrahydrofuran (0.700 ml) was added. After 10 min the mixture was filtered under N₂, washed with ethyl acetate (2×50 ml) and diethyl ether (2×50 ml), then dried to afford the title compound (119.3 mg) as a white solid.

IR (nujol) Vmax cm-1: 1653(C═O), 1751 (C═Oβ-lactam), 3310 (N--H);

1H-NMR (400 MHz, D₂ O): 7.19(td,2H), 6.87(t, 1H), 6.81(dd,2H), 4.90(bm, 1H), 3.92(m,1H), 3.88(m,2H), 3.83(m,1H), 3.50(ddd, 1H), 3.17(ddd,1H), 3.04(dd,1H), 2.77(m,1H), 1.74(m,1H), 1.63(m,1H), 1.48(m,3H), 1.13(m,1H), 1.05(d,3H), p.p.m.

EXAMPLE 19

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-acetamidophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1 '-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (100 mg) in acetone (15 ml), triethylamine (0.100 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22° C. followed by p-acetamidophenyl isocyanate (100 mg). The solution obtained was stirred for 30 min then H₂ O mQ (3 ml) was added. After 60 min a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate in tetrahydrofuran (0.670 ml) was added stirring was continued for 10 min then the mixture was partially concentrated and azeotroped several times with acetonitrile. The resulting solid was suspended in acetone, filtered and washed with ethyl acetate (2×50 ml), diethyl ether (2×50 ml) and dried to afford the title compound (123.5 mg) as a white solid.

IR (nujol) Vmax cm-1: 1661 (C═O), 1755 (C═O β-lactam), 3304 (O--H,N--H);

1H-NMR (400 MHz, D₂ O): 7.19(d,2H). 7.13(d,2H), 5.15(m,1H), 4.06(m,1H), 3.96(dd,1H), 3.23(dd,1H), 3.02(m, 1H), 1.99(s,3H), 1.90-1.70(m,2H), 1.70-1.45(m,3H), 1.32-1.00(m, 1H), 1.11(d,3H) p.p.m.

EXAMPLE 20

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-cyanophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-amino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid (100 mg) in acetone (15 ml), triethylamine (0.100 ml) was added under nitrogen at 22° C. followed by p-cyanophenyl isocyanate (0.081 mg). The solution obtained was stirred for 60 min then a 0.5M solution of sodium-2-ethylhexanoate in tetrahydrofuran (0.74 ml) was added. After 10 min the mixture was partially concentrated and treated with petroleum ether (8 ml) to give a precipitate which was filtered under N₂, washed with petroleum ether/acetone 2/1 then petroleum ether, and dried to afford the title compound (102.6 mg) as a white solid.

IR (nujol) Vmax cm-1: 1695(C═O), 1749 (C═O β-lactam), 2280(CN), 3352 (O--H,N--H);

1H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 7.52(m,2H), 7.31(m,2H), 5.18(m,1H), 4.05(m,1H), 3.94(dd, 1H), 3.22(dd,1H), 3.00(m,1H), 1.86-1.70(m,2H), 1.70-1.46(m,3H), 1.30-1.00(m, 1H), 1.09(d,3H) p.p.m.

EXAMPLE 21

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R, 10S, 12R)-4-(aminocarbonyl-N-methylamino)-10-(1'hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2ene-2-carboxylate

To a solution of (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-N-methylamino-10-(1'hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2-carboxylic acid (116 mg) in a mixture of water (5.5 ml) and acetone (3 ml) at 20° C. a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate (36 mg) in water (0.5 ml) was added; after 10 min. trimethylsilyl isocyanate (0.28 ml) was added.

Further amounts of trimethylsilyl isocyanate were required (4×0.28 ml) to obtain complete reaction. The reaction mixture was concentrated under vacuo and the crude compound passed through a reverse phase column (techoprep 40-63 C18).

The title compound (30 mg) was obtained by freeze drying the fraction eluted with a 10% solution of acetonitrile in water.

¹ H-NMR (300 MHz, D₂ O): 5.14(bm), 4.06 (m), 3.97(dd), 3.20 (dd), 3.00 (m), 2.85 (s), 1.98 (m), 1.80 (m), 1.70-1.60 (m), 1.10 (d). MS (VGquattro-FAB(+)NBA m/z: 346

The following examples No's 22-91 were prepared from Intermediates 19 or 20 by reaction with the appropriate isocyanate R₂ NCO or amine R₂ NH₂

Details of the reaction conditions used are also included in the table given below.

22

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(4"-trifluoromethylphenylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

23

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-methylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

24

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-nitrophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

25

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(4"-chlorophenylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

26

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3"-nitrophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

27

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-dimethylaminosulfonylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

28

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(2"-dimethylaminocarbonylphenylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

29

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-chlorophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

30

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3"-trifluoromethylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

31

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-trifluoromethylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

32

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-trifluoromethylpyrid-3"-yl-aminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

33

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3"-dimethylaminosulfonylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

34

Sodium (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(1",3"-dimethyluracil-5"-amino)carbonylamino-10-(1-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2-ene carboxylate

35

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(2"-methylsulfonyloxyphenylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

36

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(5"-N-methyl-2"-pyridon-aminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

37

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (cyclohexylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

38

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3"-furylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

39

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (cyclopropylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

40

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- 3-(N-methylpyridinium)methylaminocarbonylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

41

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (1"methyl-1H-pyrrol-2"-yl-aminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

42

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R -4-4"-chlorobenzylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

43

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-2"-phenylethylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

44

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-2"-furylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

45

Sodium (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(3"-thiophen-aminocarbonylamino)-10-(1-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2-ene carboxylate.

46

Sodium-4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-2"-thiophen-aminocarbonylamino -10-1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

47

Sodium-4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-2"-methyl-thiophen-5"-yl-aminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

48

Sodium-4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-2"-phenyl-pyridin-5"-yl-aminocarbonyl)amino!-10-1'-hydroxyethyl-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

49

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3"-bromopyridin-5"yl-aminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

50

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2",3"-dichloro-pyridin-5"yl-aminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

51

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-chloro-pyridin-5"yl-aminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

52

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-methyl-1",2",3"-thiadiazol-5"-yl-aminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

53

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (1",2",3"-thiadiazol-4"-yl-aminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

54

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-phenylethylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

55

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-chlorobenzylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

56

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (phenoxyethylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

57

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3"-picolylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

58

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (ethoxycarbonylmethylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

59

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-hydroxyethylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

60

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(2"-chloroethylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

61

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-hydroxyethylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

62

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (5"-ethoxycarbonylpentylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

63

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-trimethylammoniumethylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

64

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-azidoethylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

65

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-N-formylpiperidin-aminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

66

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (tetrahydropyran-4"-yl-aminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2-ene carboxylate

67

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- 4"-((N-allyloxycarbonyl)piperidin-aminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

68

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (cyclohexylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

69

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (benzylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

70

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (ethylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

71

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (tert-butylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

72

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (cyclopropylaminocarbonyl)methylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

73

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-aminosulfonylbenzylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

74

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-methoxycarbonylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1"-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

75

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-isopropylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

76

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(4"-bromophenylaminocarbonyamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

77

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(3"-chloro-4"-fluorophenylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2-ene carboxylate

78

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(4"-methoxyphenylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

79

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(3",4",5"-trimethoxyphenylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

80

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-nitrophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

81

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3"-methylthiophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

82

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-methylsulfonylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

83

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-methylsulfinylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

84

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- 4"-(N-succimidyl)phenylaminocarbonylamino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

85

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-chloropyrid-3"-yl-aminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

86

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3",4"-dimethyl-1",2"oxazolyl-5-methylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

87

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(aminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate

88

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (dimethylaminoethylaminocarbonyl)aminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

89

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-fluoro-3"-chlorobenzylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

90

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (propargylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

91

Sodium-(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (allylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylate.

    __________________________________________________________________________          Starting                                                                           Material                                                                           solvent isocyanate R.sub.2 NCO                                    Example                                                                             Int. No                                                                            WT (g)                                                                             volume ml                                                                              R.sub.2  time                                                                               yield (mg)                                                                          IR cm-1                                                                            H-NMR                               __________________________________________________________________________     22   19  0.250                                                                              acetone 4-trifluoromethyl                                                                       2 hrs                                                                              62   1749                                                                               7.32(d)                                          30 ml   phenyl                3.97(dd)                                                                       3.24                                                                           (dd)                                23   19  0.150                                                                              acetone 4-methylphenyl                                                                          1 hr                                                                               45   1757                                                                               7.04(m)                                          18 ml                         3.98(dd)                                                                       3.23(dd)                            24   19  0.100                                                                              acetone 4-nitrophenyl                                                                           30 min                                                                             30   1751                                                                               8.04(d)                                          15 ml                         3.97(dd)                                                                       3.24(dd)                            25   19  0.100                                                                              acetone 4-chlorophenyl                                                                          40 min                                                                             25   1751                                                                               7.20(d)                                          15 ml                         3.97(dd)                                                                       3.23(dd)                            26   19  0.190                                                                              acetone 3-nitrophenyl                                                                           20 min                                                                             30   1768                                                                               7.78(d)                                          15 ml                         3.97(dd)                                                                       3.24(dd)                            27   19  0.100                                                                              CH3CN 12 ml                                                                            4-dimethylamino                                                                         40 min                                                                             85   1755                                                                               7.58(d) 3.96                                             sulphonylphenyl       (dd) 3.22(dd)                       28   19  0.100                                                                              CH3CN 12 ml                                                                            2-dimethylamino                                                                         45 min                                                                             51   1749                                                                               7.33(m) 3.99                                             carbonylphenyl        (dd) 3.22(dd)                       29   19  0.100                                                                              acetone 15 ml                                                                          2-chlorophenyl                                                                          30 min                                                                             72   1755                                                                               7.17(td) 4.00                                                                  (dd) 3.23(dd)                       30   19  0.100                                                                              acetone 15 ml                                                                          3-tritluoromethyl                                                                       1 hr                                                                               22   1753                                                                               7.53(s) 3.97                                             phenyl                (dd) 3.21(dd)                       31   19  0.100                                                                              acetone 15 ml                                                                          2-trifluoromethyl                                                                       1 hr                                                                               47   1752                                                                               7.58(m) 3.99                                             phenyl                (dd) 3.21(dd)                       32   19  0.100                                                                              CH3CN 12 ml                                                                            4-trifluoromethyl                                                                       30 min                                                                             50   1755                                                                               7.61(d) 4.01                                             pyrid-3-yl            (dd) 3.23(dd)                       33   19  0.100                                                                              CH3CN 12 ml                                                                            3-dimethylamino                                                                         45 min                                                                             30   1755                                                                               7.67(s) 3.95                                             sulphonylphenyl       (dd) 3.21(dd)                       34   19  0.100                                                                              CH3CN 14 ml                                                                            1,3-dimethyl                                                                            2 hrs                                                                              70   1751                                                                               7.59(s) 3.99                                             uracil-5-yl           (dd) 3.22(dd)                       35   19  0.100                                                                              CH3CN 12 ml                                                                            2-       25 min                                                                             70   1749                                                                               3.20(s) 4.02                                             methylsulphonyl-      (dd) 3.25(dd)                                            oxy phenyl                                                36   19  0.100                                                                              CH3CN 15 ml                                                                            N-methyl-2-oxo                                                                          4 hrs                                                                              39   1751                                                                               6.45(d) 3.97                                             pyrid-5-yl            (dd) 3.23(dd)                       37   19  0.1 acetone 15 ml                                                                          cyclohexyl                                                                              6 h 35   1751                                                                               3.21(dd),                                                                      3.95(dd),                                                                      3.24(m)                             38   19  0.11                                                                               acetone 15 ml                                                                          3-furyl  15' 79   1749                                                                               3.21(dd),                                                                      3.94(dd),                                                                      7.45(d)                             39   19  0.1 acetone 4 ml                                                                           cyclopropyl                                                                             1 h 18   1749                                                                               3.2(dd),                                         H2O 2 ml                      3.93(dd),                                                                      2.29(m)                             40   19  0.14                                                                               MeCN 15 ml                                                                             3-(N-    15' 87   1755                                                                               3.23(dd),                           (a)                  methylpyridinium)     3.95(dd),                                                methyl                8.49(d)                             41   19  0.1 acetone 10 ml                                                                          1-methyl-1H-                                                                            1 h 15'                                                                            33   1757                                                                               3.2-3.3(dd)1                                             pyrrol-2-yl           4.00(dd),                                                                      3.24(s)                             42   19  0.13                                                                               acetone 10 ml                                                                          4-chlorobenzyl                                                                          1 h 30'                                                                            61   1755                                                                               3.14(dd),                                                                      3.78(dd),                                                                      4.24(d)                             43   19  0.1 acetone 10 ml                                                                          2-phenylethyl                                                                           2 h 32   1755                                                                               3.11(dd),                                                                      3.77(dd),                                                                      7.17(m)                             44   19  0.13                                                                               MeCN 15 ml                                                                             2-furyl  30' 57   1751                                                                               3.23(dd),                                                                      3.99(dd),                                                                      7.12(m)                             45   19  0.13                                                                               MeCN 15 ml                                                                             3-thiophenyl                                                                            30' 44   1749                                                                               3.19(dd),                                                                      3.93(dd),                                                                      7.18(dd)                            46   19  0.13                                                                               MeCN 15 ml                                                                             2-thiophenyl                                                                            1 h 50   1751                                                                               3.20(dd),                                                                      3.93(dd),                                                                      6.47(m)                             47   19  0.13                                                                               MeCN 15 ml                                                                             2-methyl-                                                                               45' 71   1751                                                                               3.16(dd),                                                thiophen-5-yl         3.82(dd),                                                                      6.7(m)                              48   19  0.065                                                                              MeCN 10 ml                                                                             2-phenyl-pyridin-                                                                       50' 47   1751                                                                               3.23(dd),                                                5-yl                  3.97(dd),                                                                      8.37(d)                             49   19  0.1 MeCN 10 ml                                                                             3-Bromo-pyridin-                                                                        30' 61   1751                                                                               3.23(dd),                                                5-yl                  3.96(dd),                                                                      8.26(d)                             50   19  0.1 MeCN 10 ml                                                                             2,3-Dichloro-                                                                           30' 54   1751                                                                               3.26(dd),                                                pyridin-5-yl          3.99(dd),                                                                      8.12(d)                             51   19  0.1 MeCN 15 ml                                                                             2-Chloro-                                                                               30' 58   1755                                                                               3.27(dd),                                                pyridin5-yl           3.99(dd),                                                                      7.69(dd)                            52   19  0.1 MeCN 15 ml                                                                             4-methyl-1,2,3-                                                                         40' 42   1751                                                                               3.22(dd),                                                thiadiazol-5-yl       3.95(dd),                                                                      2.39(s)                             53   19  0.11                                                                               MeCN 15 ml                                                                             1,2,3-thiadiazol-                                                                       1 h 60   1751                                                                               3.22(dd),                                                4-yl                  3.97(dd),                                                                      8.44(s)                             54   20  0.09                                                                               water: acetone                                                                         2-phenylethyl                                                                           30' 55   1747                                                                               3.07(dd),                                        (1:1) 6 ml                    3.42(m), 7.0-                                                                  7.25(m)                             55   20  0.1 water: acetone                                                                         4-chlorobenzyl                                                                          30' 75   1747                                                                               3.07(m),                                         (1:1) 8 ml                                                                             7.02(d), 7.12(d)                                          56   20  0.1 water: acetone                                                                         2-phenoxyethyl                                                                          30' 60   1745                                                                               3.04(dd),                                        (1:1) 6 ml                    6.92(m),                                                                       7.23(m)                             57   20  0.1 acetone 5 ml                                                                           3-picolyl                                                                               2 h 64   1745                                                                               3.10(d), 7.48(d),                   (a)                                        8.2(m)                              58   20  0.1 water: acetone                                                                         ethoxycarbonyl-                                                                         30' 78   1781                                                                               1.09(t,),                                        (1:1) 6 ml                                                                             methyl                3.18(dd), 3.64-                                                                3.75(AB)                            59   20  0.1 water: acetone                                                                         2-trimethylsilyl                                                                        1 h 60   1745                                                                               3.08(m),                                         (1:1) 6 ml                                                                             oxyethyl              3.17(dd), 3.89(t)                   60   19  0.12                                                                               acetone 15 ml                                                                          2-chloroethyl                                                                           1 h 66   1755                                                                               3.15(m),                                                                       3.19(dd),                                                                      3.40(m)                             61   19  0.1 water: acetone                                                                         2-tnmethylsilyl                                                                         1 h 70   1744                                                                               3.10(dd),                                        (1:1) 8 ml                                                                             oxyethyl              3.23(dd),                                                                      3.44(m)                             62   19  0.1 water: acetone                                                                         5-ethoxycarbonyl                                                                        1 h 90   1734                                                                               2.19(t), 2.8-                                    (1:1) 8 ml                                                                             pentyl                2.9(m), 3.14(dd)                    63   19  0.12                                                                               MeCN 10 ml                                                                             trimethyl-                                                                              30' 72   1745                                                                               3.05(m), 3.06(s),                   (a)                  ammonium-             3.44-3.66(m)                                             ethyl                                                     64   19  0.2 water: acetone                                                                         2-azidoethyl                                                                            1 h 160  1745                                                                               3.15(m),                                         (1:1) 12 ml                   3.21(m),                                                                       3.36(m)                             65   20  0.09                                                                               water: acetone                                                                         4-N-     1 h 63   1749                                                                               5.1(m), 3.88                                     (1:1) 4 ml                                                                             formylpiperidinyl     (dd), 3.15(m)                       66   20  0.1 water: acetone                                                                         tetrahydropyran-                                                                        1.5 h                                                                              90   1749                                                                               3.88(dd), 3.1                                    (1:1) 5 ml                                                                             4-yl                  (dd), 2.87(s)                       67   20  0.1 water: acetone                                                                         N-       6 h 80   1747                                                                               3.88(dd), 3.13                                   (1:1) 6 ml                                                                             allyloxycarbonyl      (dd), 2.88(s)                                            piperidin-4-yl                                            68   20  0.125                                                                              THF/H2O (9:1)                                                                          cycohexyl                                                                               30' 45   1750                                                                               3.89(dd),                                        4 ml                          3.15(dd), 1.2-                                                                 0.8(m)                              69   20  0.125                                                                              THF/H2O (1:1)                                                                          benzyl   45' 110  1740                                                                               3.71(dd),                                        4 ml                          3.11(dd), 7.24-                                                                7.07(m)                             70   20  0.125                                                                              THF/H2O (1:1)                                                                          ethyl    30' 15   1749                                                                               3.92(dd),                                        4 ml                          3.18(dd), 0.86(t)                   71   20  0.1 Acetone/H2O                                                                            t-butyl  30' 12   1753                                                                               3.91(dd),                                        (1:1) 4 ml                    3.17(dd),                                                                      1.08(s)                             72   20  0.1 toIuene/H2O                                                                            cyclopropyl                                                                             1 h 17   1749                                                                               3.88(dd),                                        (1:1) 4 ml                    3.16(dd),                                                                      0.48(m)                             73   19  0.1 acetone 40                                                                             4-aminosulphonyl                                                                        3   42   1752                                                                               4.39(d)                                                  benzyl                3.83(dd)                                                                       3.16(dd)                            74   19  0.1 acetone 30                                                                             2-       1   33   1759                                                                               3.74(s)                                                  methoxycarbonyl       3.24(dd)                                                 phenyl                1.12(d)                             75   19  0.1 acetone 15                                                                             2-isopropyl-                                                                            1   65   1755                                                                               3.99(dd)                                                 phenyl                3.22(dd)                                                                       1.11(d)                             76   19  0.1 acetone 12                                                                             4-bromophenyl                                                                           1   79   1751                                                                               3.97(dd)                                                                       3.23(dd)                                                                       1.12(d)                             77   19  0.105                                                                              acetone 15                                                                             3-chloro-4-fluoro-                                                                      1.5 52   1755                                                                               3.97(m)                                                  phenyl                3.23(m)                                                                        111(d)                              78   19  0.069                                                                              THF 6   4-methoxyphenyl                                                                         3   10   1750                                                                               3.98(dd)                                                                       3.24(dd)                                                                       1.12(d)                             79   19  0.06                                                                               acetone 7                                                                              3,4,5-trimethoxy                                                                        n.d.                                                                               27   1752                                                                               3.68(s) 3.59(s)                                          phenyl                3.23(dd)                            80   19  0.1 acetone 15                                                                             2-nitrophenyl                                                                           3   28   1718                                                                               3.99(dd)                                                                       3.22(dd)                                                                       1.10(d)                             81   19  0.1 acetone 15                                                                             3-methylthio                                                                            1   75   1755                                                                               3.21(dd)                                                 phenyl                2.31(s, 3H)                                                                    1.09(d)                             82   19  0.1 CH3CN 15                                                                               2-       0.75                                                                               66   1747                                                                               3.99(dd)                                                 methylsulphonyl       3.24(dd)                                                 phenyl                3.04(s)                             83   19  0.1 CH3CN 25.6                                                                             2-methylsulphinyl                                                                       4   17   n.d.                                                                               3.30(dd)                                                 phenyl                2.73(s) 1.16(d)                     84   19  0.1 CH3CN 25                                                                               4-N-succinimdoyl                                                                        1.5 87   1755                                                                               3.95(dd)                                                 phenyl                3.21(dd)                                                                       2.77(m)                             85   19  0.1 CH3CN 25.6                                                                             2-chloro-pyrid-3-                                                                       0.75                                                                               90   1751                                                                               3.99(dd)                                                 yl-5-methyl           3.23(dd)                                                                       1.10(d, 3H)                         86   19  0.1 acetone 30                                                                             3,4,-dimethyl 1,2-                                                                      1.5 7    n.d.                                                                               3.16(dd)                                                 oxazolyl-5-           2.17(s) 2.00(s)                                          methyl                                                    87   19  0.2 acetone 30                                                                             trimethylsilyl                                                                          n.d.                                                                               20   n.d.                                                                               3.95(dd)                                                                       3.20(dd)                                                                       1.10(d)                             88   19  0.1 acetone 20                                                                             dimethylamino-                                                                          7   15   1751                                                                               3.94(dd)                                                 ethyl                 3.23(dd)                                                                       2.71(s)                             (a) 89                                                                              19  0.11                                                                               acetone 20 ml                                                                          4-fluoro-3-chloro                                                                       1.5 88   1751                                                                               4.26(d),                                                 benzyl                3.86(dd),                                                                      3.15(dd)                            (a) 90                                                                              19  0.15                                                                               acetone 20 ml                                                                          propargyl                                                                               2   105  1753                                                                               3.95(dd),                                                                      3.20(dd), 2.37(t)                   (a) 91                                                                              19  0.1 acetone 20 ml                                                                          allyl    2   40   1750                                                                               5.96(d),                                                                       3.94(dd),                                                                      3.21(dd)                            __________________________________________________________________________      (a) In this process the amine R.sub.2 NH.sub.2 and carbonyldimidazole wer      used in place of isocyanate R.sub.2 NCO.                                 

PHARMACY EXAMPLES

Tablets

    ______________________________________                                                         mg/tab                                                         ______________________________________                                         Compound of Example 1                                                                            320                                                          Lactose           150                                                          Ethyl cellulose   20                                                           Sodium lauryl sulphate                                                                           7                                                            Magnesium stearate                                                                               3                                                            Tablet core       500         mg                                               ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient and the lactose are blended together and then granulated using water as the granulating fluid. The dried granules are blended with the ethyl cellulose, sodium lauryl sulphate and magnesium stearate and the tablet core formed using an appropriate punch. The tablet may then be coated using conventional techniques and coatings.

Example B

    ______________________________________                                                         mg/tab                                                         ______________________________________                                         Compound of Example 1                                                                            320                                                          Compressible sugar                                                                               170                                                          Sodium lauryl sulphate                                                                            7                                                           Magnesium stearate                                                                                3                                                           Tablet core       500                                                          ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient and the excipients are blended together and then compressed using an appropriate punch. If required the tablet thus formed may be coated in a conventional manner.

Granules

    ______________________________________                                                         mg/unit dose                                                   ______________________________________                                         Compound of Example 1                                                                            320                                                          Starch 100                                                                     Cellulose         40                                                           Polymethacrylate  30                                                           Sodium lauryl sulphate                                                                            7                                                           Magnesium stearate                                                                                3                                                           Flavouring agent  qs                                                           ______________________________________                                    

A solution of the active ingredient in ethanol is sprayed into a suitable fluid bed granulator charged with the major excipients. The granules so formed are dried and screened. If desired the granules may then be coated with a suitable enteric coating and dried. The dried granules are then blended with the remaining excipients including any flavouring agent and coated, for example with an enteric coating. The granules thus obtained may be filled into capsules or the like for a single dose presentation or filled into bottles for subsequent preparation of a multi dose oral liquid presentation.

Dry Powder for Injection

    ______________________________________                                         active ingredient (Compound of Example 1)                                                             538 mg per vial.                                        ______________________________________                                    

Fill sterile vials with the sterile active ingredient. Purge the vial head space with sterile nitrogen; close the vials using rubber plugs and metal overseals (applied by crimping). The product may be constituted by dissolving in Water for Injection (10 ml) or other suitable sterile vehicle for injection shortly before administration.

The antibacterial activity of the compounds of the invention may be readily determined using conventional test procedures. For example the antibacterial activity of the compounds of the invention was determined using a standard microtiter broth serial dilution test. In this test the broth was incubated with approximately 10⁵ colony forming units of the test organism and incubated at 35° for 18 hours in the presence of test compound. Results obtained using the rest procedure are given in the table below and are expressed as minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in micrograms/ml.

Example No's

    ______________________________________                                         Organism  1       10      12    13    9     21                                 ______________________________________                                         S Aureus 663E                                                                            0.5     0.25    0.5   0.5   0.25  0.1                                F Faecalis B5OE                                                                          2       1       2     2     1     8                                  E Coli TEMI                                                                              0.25    0.12    <0.1  0.25  0.12  0.1                                E Cloacae 4       2       2     2     0.5   0.5                                C Prefringens                                                                            <0.01   0.12    <0.1  0.12  0.12  0.1                                B Fragilis                                                                               0.25    0.5     0.25  0.50  0.50  0.1                                ______________________________________                                    

The compounds of the invention are essentially non toxic at therapeutically useful doses. For example no adverse effects were observed when compounds of the invention were administered to mice at therapeutically useful dose levels. 

We claim:
 1. A compound of general formula (I) ##STR18## salts and metabolically labile esters thereof; wherein R represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl;R₁ represents hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R₂ represents hydrogen or an optionally substituted, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclic group.
 2. Compounds as claimed in claim 1, wherein R represents hydrogen or methyl.
 3. Compounds as claimed in claims 1 or 2 when R₁ represents hydrogen or methyl.
 4. Compounds as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein R₂ represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, allyl, propargyl, azidoethyl, hydroxyethyl, chloroethyl, dimethylaminoethyl, trimethylammonium-ethyl, 1-carboxyethyl, 2-ethoxycarbonylethyl, phenoxyethyl, benzamidomethyl, t butyxycarbonylaminomethyl, benzyl (optionally substituted by chloro and or fluoro, or by aminosulphonyl), phenylethyl, pyridylmethyl, pyridylethyl, N-methylpyridinium-methyl, 1,2 oxazolylmethyl, furfuryl, pyridyl, N-methylpyridinium, pyridyl (substituted by 1 or 2 chlorine or bromine atoms, trifluoromethyl, phenyl, or methoxy), N-methyl-2-pyridone, furyl, 2-methylfuryl, thienyl, methylthienyl, N-methylpyrrole, thiadiazolyl, methylthiadiazolyl, uracilyl, N-methyluracilyl, N,N-dimethyluracilyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopropyl, or 4-tetrahydropyranyl, or N-substituted 4-piperidinyl.
 5. Compounds as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least one of R, R₁ or R₂ is other than hydrogen.
 6. Compounds as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein R₂ represents phenyl (optionally substituted by hydroxy, methoxy, cyano, acetamido or methylsulphonyl), pyridyl, pyridylmethyl, phenoxyethyl, furfuryl or uracilyl.
 7. Compounds as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 having the following configuration ##STR19##
 8. The compounds(4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(phenylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(3"-pyridineaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-hydroxyphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-methylsuphonylphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(uracil-5'-amino)carbonylamino-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-aza-tricyclo 7.2.0.0³,8 !-undec-2-ene carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(3"-picolylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4-(2"-furfurylaminocarbonylamino)-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7.2.0.0³.8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-methoxyphenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (benzylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (3"-cyanophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (2"-phenoxyethylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-acetamidophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid; (4S,8S,9R,10S,12R)-4- (4"-cyanophenylaminocarbonyl)amino!-10-(1'-hydroxyethyl)-11-oxo-1-azatricyclo 7,2,0,0³,8 !-undec-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid;and physiologically acceptable salts and metabolically labile esters thereof.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 in admixture with one or more physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients.
 10. A method of treatment of a human or non human body to combat bacterial infections comprising administration to said body of an effective amount of a compound as claimed in any of claims 1 to
 8. 11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the bacterial infections are systemic.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the bacterial infections are topical.
 13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in claim 8 in admixture with one or more physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients.
 14. A method of treatment of a human or non-human animal body to combat bacterial infections comprising administration to said body of an effective amount of a compound as claimed in claim
 8. 15. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the bacterial infections are systemic.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the bacterial infections are topical. 